Twenty-eight acres of land were purchased from the C.B. Skipper estate, and groundbreaking ceremonies took place on April 30, 1970. Senator Oliver Bateman was the key speaker, and State Representatives Marshall F. Keen and Homer M Scarborough Jr. also addressed the group. The Board of Directors consisted of Chairman Horace Vandiver, Mr. H. Reginald Broxton, Mr. Frank Cheek, Mrs. W.M. Grace, Mr. H. Wyatt Hammock Jr., Mr. Walter Hammond, Mrs. Sanders Johnston, Mr. Charles McGuire, Mr. Sam Rabun, Mr. O.W. Stokes, and long-time bookkeeper Mr. Walter Thames. Consulting an old English encyclopedia, the original founders finally agreed that the most fitting title was “Windsor,” meaning “importance, grandeur, or the very best.” The group also agreed to uphold the following pledge: “Gain not loss; Good not evil; Success not failure.”
Windsor’s first Headmistress was Miss Angela K. Sherling, who is still remembered with love and respect by her students, teachers, board members and parents. There were fourteen teachers housed in twelve classrooms with 215 students as school opened on August 31, 1970. The first graduation was held on June 4, 1971 and the class consisted of four students. They were Brenda O’Reilly, Joann Hancock, Beth Kay King, and Robbie Wiggins.
On March 4, 1973, Headmistress Angela K. Sherling presided over ground breaking for the gymnasium complex with Board Members Tommy Jenkins and Bud Hammond, Teacher Eva Bates and others. The summer of 1976 culminated with an annex to the lunchroom and four additional classrooms. Mrs. Linda Moore, beloved English and Journalism teacher at Windsor, penned the alma mater words and song. In 1978, under the leadership of Headmaster Hugh Windham, Windsor grew to a total of nearly 470 students. The parking lot was paved during the summer of 1979 with high school lockers added in 1980. Student enrollment in 1981 reached over 500 students.
An electrical fire in December 1985 caused severe structural and smoke damage to the gymnasium, lunchroom, and classrooms. Classes were held at various churches and the community center until the building was restored. A second gymnasium with classrooms and a science lab were dedicated in 1993. Mr. Larry Moore and the following individuals were instrumental in getting the project completed: Joey Prince, Joe Massingale, Dennis Bryant, Raymond Ballard, Ronnie Carter, Billy Gray, Ronnie Davidson, Walter Harvard, Walter Ballard, Larry Pope, and Larry Ballard.
In January 2011 under the leadership of Headmaster Dr. John C. Cranford, Windsor Academy of Macon, Georgia became an accredited member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). To earn accreditation from SAIS and SACS, Windsor complied with quality standards, was evaluated by an outside group of peer professionals, and implemented a school plan focused on strategic improvement and student performance.
Since the opening of Windsor Academy, the school has enjoyed enormous success academically and athletically. The school has won over twenty state championships and numerous region championships. With over 1,500 graduates and a winning tradition, the future has remained bright for this small South Bibb County school with a family atmosphere.
